July 07, 2017, Location: Earth - United States: San Diego, CA

"Ok, get ready" said 17-year-old Apollo Ijin on his radio. He got a couple of call button clicks back, which indicated his teammates had gotten his message and were waiting. Suddenly, he noticed movement through the brush and was able to make out a person; he was armed with a shotgun. Apollo gripped his MP5 tighter and prepared to lift the weapon up, but suddenly he realized that firing his machine gun would give away his position. He swung the MP5 behind his back and drew his sidearm which was much quieter. Apollo took aim and when he had a clear shot he squeezed the trigger.

"Fuck!" Said his target as the small plastic BB slammed into the skin on his arm, at 260 fps. There was a good-sized welt on his arm from the impact. "Not fair, Apollo" he whispered as he removed a red bandanna from his pocket and tied it around his head, this let all the other players know he'd been killed.

"That's the name of the game" Apollo retorted as he went past him, the only reason he hadn't been seen was the camo jacket and pants he wore. It was the new digital style that the armed forces were using now. He also wore a tactical vest loaded with goodies he'd found online, from tripwire to a BB claymore.

"Apollo, we're in position" said his teammate Daniel over the radio.

"Ok, stand by, I'm almost there" he replied into his headset. Apollo moved through the dense shrubbery of the forest behind his backyard until he came to a clearing. In the middle of the backyard was their main goal, the enemy flag. Unfortunately, five people stood guard with high powered gas guns. Apollo looked over the situation and decided that their current plan would be sufficient. "Ok... go" said Apollo as he began to open fire on them, his teammates came out and began a charge hosing the enemy with fire. Unfortunately, they saw them coming and were able to cut them down before they got close. Suddenly, they all felt a sharp pain as they all got hit by BBs. Apollo came in from behind and grabbed the flag.

"Man, how'd you do that, we never saw you coming?" one of them asked.

"It wasn't me" said Apollo as he pointed to a person coming out of a tree wearing a sniper suit. Joe, Apollo's longtime friend, was their best sniper.

"Damn, man, you always win"

"Don't I know it" Apollo replied. "I'll see you all later" Apollo said as his friends left for their bikes. Apollo climbed up the back deck of his home and went in through the screen door. He was immediately greeted by his family's black labrador, Bear dog.

"Hey, boy" Apollo said as he gave him a pat on the head.

"Apollo, you're back" said his little brother Joshua.

"Where's mom?" Apollo asked

"Just out to Walmart" josh replied.

"I'll be in my room" Apollo said as he walked down the hall and up the stairs. He passed the various photos of his family. His father was a captain in the Marine Corps and had taught him how to handle himself in a fight. His father wanted him to follow in his footsteps just like his older brother who was currently a corporal, both were deployed overseas. Apollo entered his bedroom and stripped of his vest and camo coat and put it along with his airsoft guns in his closet. He took off his sweaty white t-shirt he was wearing underneath and swapped it for a black shirt. Apollo went over to his TV and turned on the Xbox 360 sitting on top and he inserted Halo 3, grabbed his controller and plopped back on his bed. Just as he reached for his headset, his cell phone began to ring.

"Yo, man, you got to get down here." said his best friend Mike when he answered

"Where is 'here'?" Apollo asked

"I'm at Jesse's, man, its one wild party", Apollo could hear some loud music in the background.

"I don't really feel like it, I just got back from an airsoft match."

"Oh come on, everyone's here… including Caitlin."

"We broke up two months ago, Mike."

"But you can try and patch things up; you take responsibility for ending it, that'll get her back".

"We ended it mutually, Mike. Remember?"

"Ok, man, she has her cousin with her, and she is HOT, you got to get down here and put in a good word for me".

"You're hopeless"

"Damn straight… so will you come or not?"

Apollo thought it over for a few minutes before he said, "ok fine but I'm not helping you pick up a girl."

"That's ok, man; I'll see you in a few"

"Alright, later" said Apollo as he closed the lid and slid the phone into his pants pocket; He also grabbed his iPod, wallet, sunglasses and house keys. Apollo went back downstairs, said bye to his brother and went out the back door. He walked through the woods for about 10 minutes until he came upon a 10-foot-tall fence, which he scaled without any difficulty. Apollo ended up in an alleyway a few streets over from Jesse's place; this was a shortcut he favored. Apollo walked down the alley and passed four men standing outside a yard drinking beer. He walked past them and gave them a nod, a tall man in a white tee wearing glasses simply responded.

"Have a good night."

Apollo continued on his way but he suddenly he heard a thud from behind the dumpster up ahead.

"Who's there?" he called out, thinking it might be Mike and Jesse playing a prank. It all happened in a flash.

Suddenly, a figure jumped out from behind the dumpster holding something glowing in his hand. Apollo didn't get a good look at him because he raised his arm and a beam shot out from whatever he was caring, and it encompassed Apollo in a bright light.